"I believe in a law of mirroring your ideas to this consciousness to achieve your goals, so to avoid manipulation, there is nothing better than self belief, and self managing their project" - Pete Milo

Pete Milo is a singer-songwriter from Akron who released an album called 'Activation' under Cabinessence Records. I have reviewed this album as a good mix of raw 60s rock and roll riff and modern power-pop. And here I finally am, talking with Pete about his music, DIY movement, and the story behind my favorite song from his album.

Hi Pete! How are you? How is the response to the album so far? Is it your debut album?

Great thanks Zaldy. Considering on how the collection of songs were quickly thrown together after Michael Stevens (from Cabinessence records) contacted me about putting out an album, I'd say I've had a great response from both new faces and old, which has quite satisfying. I had no plan to release these tracks previously, nor was I even planning on this project going under my name, as most of them are demos intended for ideas to complete the album I'm currently working on. Instead of waiting on a studio album, I decided to use this material, to at least have something out there in the meantime before the new album, as a platform to introduce this project. This is my first solo release, though to me it's like my 4th or 5th album, having written albums for my band which unfortunately are currently unreleased.

I am glad to be able to talk about your album. I reviewed your album as a mix of melodious pop, 60s garage, and raw rock and roll riffs. However, I want to hear from you directly. What do you call your music style? Not to narrowing the genre topics, I just want to know your perspective.

Well honestly its hard to say with my solo material, because its very random. There are numerous influences within each song. I wouldn't probably even of ever bothered with songwriting or playing music if it wasn't for the mental process that occurs, which is like piecing a puzzle of ideas together. the initial idea will pop in my head, influenced by whatever I'm listening to and reading about at the time. then I piece the rest of the ideas as they come to me, to the foundation to complete the song. So I really go off synchronicity with my writing and pretty much everything in life, If you let things flow naturally and decode the message your receiving from your heart, and do the right thing, it will mirror back what you desired.

Tell me, who influenced you in making music actually? Mention some bands or musicians please

To name a few: The Who, Kinks, Beatles, Small Faces, The Clash , Motown, pretty much all the 60's bands, 70's punk and powerpop.

How is the process of recording and all the instruments playing? Did you do it by yourself?

All the songs from this collection range from very different time periods, some are quite a few years apart from each other, which is why the production and style vary within each track. I'm playing all the parts, except Eric Binns ( from Greenleaf Recordings ) plays drums and co- produced tracks Activation and Subterranea. The songs are split between being recorded in my basement on a cassette 4- track, and at Greenleaf Recordings here in Akron.

I want to know, how close are we to the possibilities of finding your album on physical release?

In the midst of currently recording my new album, there will soon be both cassette and cd release of Activation, leading to the new album which I plan to release on vinyl.

Actually, do you believe that physical release is the best documentation for an artist? How important is having a physical release for your album?

There is no comparison to having an actual physical release opposed to a digital download. The technological resources we have today can be very convenient , if not too convenient, and is very useful if used properly, however at the same time I see what it's done to humanity as a whole, a bit of a dulling effect over the population. Less and less are going to ever experience something as simple as heading to the record store, purchasing a new album, absorbing it's lyrics and imagery and energy compared to nowadays downloading 1000's of mp3's in one night forgetting half of what you heard the next day.

Do you think that you are one of do-it-yourself musician? How is your opinion about DIY movement today? Since you know that internet provides everything you need to create something today

Yes. DIY enables you the freedom to meet you or your bands vision. I believe in a law of mirroring your ideas to this consciousness to achieve your goals, so to avoid manipulation, there is nothing better than self belief, and self managing their project.

I always curious about a musician who let their album released on free download. To be honest, how could you get the money for making next releases if you give your album free for people? Does the donating system work and help a lot?

Well honestly, money is no concern to me really, I'm working as much as possible to afford the upcoming releases. My goal is to get the music and message heard which will hopefully result in connecting and influencing another, and hopefully help spark new positive ways of thinking, which is overall what the album is all about.

Talking about gigs, do you have many gigs performing? Since you are a solo artist, you must be helped by other musicians when performing in gigs. Please tell me about the great people helping you playing live.

I'm looking to the spring / summer to get out in the scene again. The lineup is up in the air at the moment as I have a few people in mind that may be interested. I'm looking to do some acoustic gigs to warm back up to the live scene.

I would really love to know about your local scene. How is yours? Is there any good indie bands or musicians there?

5 to 10 years ago I could have answered your question, I'm so caught up with my own doings I really don't get out to the scene here as much as I would like. If anything out here catches my eye once I get to playing some local dates, I will let you know!

Let me close this interview by asking about my most favorite song from your album, ‘Green Tea’. Tell me what this song is about please.. And when and how did you get the inspiration? I love the music, it is very old- school, 60s music which reminds me of early Beatles music, The Kinks, and others

Green Tea tells a story of the entire population being manipulated by an in between the lines entity. An entity that is causing severe division amongst the people, forcing them under a psychopathic cover of darkness, which bases everyone on a hierarchicalsystem putting one in fear of being the next in line to be plucked off. I suppose it's 1984 in a song. As far as the inspiration on the sound, I'm not hiding the fact that I'm obviously emulating a 1965 Beatles sound. A bit like In my Life on Rubber Soul I suppose. But you could say that about any song really, being half copy and half original.